Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete Crowned Miss Universe 2010 during live NBC Telecast

 

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Jimena Navarrete, Miss Mexico, as Miss Universe 2010 live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

Bret Michaels and NBC's "Today" show co-host and correspondent Natalie Morales hosted the international event, which aired on NBC and Telemundo. John Legend & The Roots and Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil performed live during the competition. The pageant was presented by official hair care sponsor Farouk Systems.

 

Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, is 21 years old and loves nature, boating, riding motorcycles, spending time with her family and traveling.

 

The judging panel for the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant included: illusionist and mystifier, Criss Angel; actor, producer and writer, William Baldwin; world-renowned percussionist and drummer, Sheila E; anchor of "NBC Live," Tamron Hall; 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 World Figure Skating Champion, Evan Lysacek; Oscar nominated actor and director best known for his work in A Bronx Tale, Chazz Palminteri; American singer and actress, Chynna Phillips; winner of multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, Jane Seymour; and international supermodel, Niki Taylor.

 

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from over 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately one billion viewers.

 

Final Results:

 

First Runner-Up:  Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps; will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2010 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

 

Second Runner-Up:  Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell.

 

Rest of Top Five: Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska; and Miss Philippines, Venus Raj.

 

Rest of Top Ten:  Miss Ireland, Rozanna Purcell; Miss Albania, Angela Martini; Miss Puerto Rico, Mariana Paola Vicente; Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint; and Miss Guatemala, Jessica Scheel.

 

Rest of Top Fifteen:  Miss Belgium, Cilou Annys; Miss France, Malika Menard; Miss Russia, Irina Antonenko; Miss Colombia, Natalia Navarro; and Miss Czech Republic, Jitka Valkova.

 

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul. The General public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.

 

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs.

 

National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul. This award was decided by an online vote through Club Universe, a new, exclusive membership club featured on MissUniverse.com. 

 

The MISS UNIVERSE® 2010 prize package includes: a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a shoe wardrobe from Nina Footwear; a one-year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill; a collection of swimwear from Dar Be Dar by Tala Raassi; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss Universe; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.

 

About the Miss Universe Organization

 

The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, PSI/YouthAIDS, The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Gay Men's Health Crisis. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.

 

Follow Miss Universe

 

•Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUniverse

•YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUniverse

•Twitter: TheRealMissU

•Blogs: www.missuniverse.com/blogs/index

 

 Source The Miss Universe Organization

The Dominican Republic Call Center Association Opens Hurricane Hotline

 

Call Center Association Offers Hurricane Hotline

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The Dominican Republic Call Center Association today announced the availability of a toll-free hotline, which began in 2008, to help answer questions during this very active hurricane season.

 

Callers to the hotline will receive information regarding hurricane preparedness, storm development, hurricane tracking, shelter locations, evacuation information, etc. Call center representatives from DRCCA member companies will staff their contact number throughout the hurricane season. The toll-free number is 1-888-994-8774 and it will be answered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the season.

 

"We are very proud to be able to offer these services, which are funded by our member organization. They have provided us with a team of representatives who are now trained to work the hurricane hotline," said Doug Meyers, DRCCA Director and co-founder for the DRCCA.

 

About The Dominican Republic Call Center Association

The Dominican Republic Call Center Association was established to inform companies in the Dominican Republic and the United States of the great opportunity that exists in the call center industry in the Dominican Republic. Most importantly, the DRCCA serves as a guide to those businesses who are interested in moving their business or operation to the Caribbean.

 

US companies often find it difficult to move their operation overseas as there are many unknown obstacles to navigate, such as laws, government policies, local banking, where to buy equipment services and more. The DRCCA team has achieved impressive results in a very short period of time.

 

Further information can be found at http://www.drcca.org or by calling us directly at (786) 347-5607.

 

SOURCE Dominican Republic Call Center Association

Farmers Insurance Unveils Latest Spanish-Language Television Campaign Highlighting Right Fit Coverage

 

Actor Edward James Olmos continues his role as Farmers spokesperson

 

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Farmers Insurance will launch its latest national Hispanic TV advertising campaign this coming Monday, August 16, produced by its Hispanic Agency of Record, Accentmarketing.

 

The new ads are the next installment of the insurers "Right Fit" campaign, launched in 2009. They feature a "force field" which represents the customizable Farmers coverages customers can choose to meet their individual needs,

 

First to launch is "Neighbors", which uses a dramatization to highlight the difference between having customized coverage that "fits" correctly and inadequate or inappropriate coverage. In the spot, two neighbors boast about their insurance coverage, as represented by their "force fields". While one has the "right fit" coverage secured with the help of a Farmers agent, the other is not so lucky. Both neighbors have to duck for cover as a tree strikes the not-so-fortunate neighbors home, right where his "inadequate" coverage is.

 

In "Zoom Out" Farmers showcases its multiline product offerings of auto, home, life and business insurance and their customizable coverages available through a variety of different life stages. Beginning in a flower shop, we "zoom out" to see the Farmers "force field" around the business. Then we enter and exit a car, again "zooming out" to reveal the Farmers "force field" and finally we enter and exit a growing familys home and we see that it, too, counts on Farmers customized coverage.

 

"As more companies draw on Spanish-language media to reach Hispanic consumers, Farmers is taking an entertaining and innovative approach to connecting with this core audience," said Luisa Acosta-Franco, Vice President of Multicultural Marketing for Farmers. "Our agents work very hard to ensure that customers have the best possible coverage for their life circumstances, and we want prospective customers to know that, as well."

 

Continuing in his role as Farmers Insurance Hispanic spokesperson for the fifth year is actor and humanitarian, Edward James Olmos. In the new commercials Mr. Olmos shares with viewers that Farmers agents go through some of the best training in the industry, so they can rest assured that by working with a Farmers agent they can obtain the coverages that fit their lifestyles.

 

"It was important for us to make an emotional connection with our audience and we did that by showcasing the diversity of Latino life in this country," said Diana Ocasio, Executive Vice President and Creative Director for Accentmarketing. "We also wanted people to have that aha! moment that makes them think - If they dont adapt their coverage to themselves, theyll have to adapt to surprises. These new spots are unique and we feel they will be very impactful within the category."

 

Details of "Right Fit" TV Spots

1. Title: "Neighbors" and "Zoom Out"

2. Agency: Accentmarketing

3. Client: Farmers Insurance

4. Length of Spots: 30-seconds (:25 / :15 versions available)

5. Launch Date: August 16, 2010

6. Markets where it will air: National

7. EVP Creative Director: Diana Ocasio

8. Associate Creative Director: Daniel Stewart

9. SVP, Account Group Director: Alice Rivera

10. Executive Producer: Rudy Leschhorn

11. Production Company: Weird Pictures

12. Director: Martin Weisz

13. Executive Producer: Cordula Weisz

14. Post Production: Giant Steps

15. Music: Makeabeat Productions

 

About Farmers Insurance

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at http://www.farmers.com.

 

About Accentmarketing

 

Established in 1994, Accentmarketing (http://www.accentmarketing.com) is a full-service Hispanic marketing communications agency with offices in Miami, Los Angeles and Detroit. A certified minority owned business and member of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Accentmarketing employs a multinational and multicultural staff. The agencys client partners include the American, Farmers Insurance, GobiernoUSA.gov, Chevrolet, the California Association of Realtors, Kaiser Permanente, Brown-Forman and the U.S. Navy.

 

SOURCE Farmers Insurance